John De Vries, 60, of Pella, passed away Monday, June 3, 2019. Graveside services were held Saturday, June 8, at Hewitt Cemetery near Gales-burg in Jasper County.
The journey of life for John De Vries began on Aug. 19, 1958, in Des Moines. His parents, Jacob and Berniece (Boersma) De Vries, had immigrated from The Netherlands and settled south of Galesburg. Johnny graduated in 1976 from Pella Christian High School with high honors for orneriness riding his motorcycle through the halls of the Pella Christian High School. He grew up with his siblings: Gerdena, Peter, Kathy, Cornelius who died in infancy in 1952, Marlene, and Cornelia. He was the father of two children: Heather Dawn and Matthew Jacob. Johnny was a farmer at heart and had always enjoyed working with his hands but, most importantly, he found joy in helping others and being available for his friends, family, and even strangers.
He leaves his two children, Heather Van Hemert-Glenn and her husband, Bree Adam Glenn of Pella and Matthew De Vries and his wife Lacey of Altoona.
Oct. 23, 2004, Johnny and Julie (Brees) De Vries, who survives him, were married, and Johnny’s family expanded even more: Angie Brees of Knoxville, Dustin Brees and his wife Kim of Monroe, and Pat Brees who died in 2001.
Johnny leaves the following siblings: Gerdena (Doug) Stremick of Story City, Marlys De Vries of Pleasant Hill, Kathy (Marvin) Roozeboom of Pella, Marlene (Roger) Bruxvoort of Reasnor, and Cornelia Vander Wilt of Pella, along with their families.
Johnny was preceded in death by his parents; his two brothers: Cornelius and Peter De Vries; and his stepson, Pat Brees. Johnny’s 28 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren were his heart and soul; they are the reason he fought so hard through the toughest of times.
